BB in the west coast -vs- EB in the east coast

I am currently deciding between starting my IB career in either EB in [big city] in the east coast or BB in [big city] in the west coast. Would it be better to start in BB in [big city] in the west coast and try and lateral over to EB in [big city] in the east coast or see if I like the west coast. Alternatively, should I start in EB and then decide from there?

Would the BB be better for exit ops or would it be better to start my career in a growing in a bank in the east coast? My personal priorities are: (1) exit ops, (2) making an impact, (3) pay, (4) geography (NYC>San Fran). Please let me know what are your thoughts!

Your exit opportunities from a top boutique are going to be, at worst, equal to those from a bulge ... and likely better.

No banking analyst is going to 'make an impact' in real terms, but the learning experience and level of responsibility an analyst receives is generally higher at a boutique than a bulge. Leaner teams + higher volume of staffing + a more meritocratic culture = stronger analysts.

Last I heard (I am now fairly removed from the analyst process), all the top boutiques pay better bonuses than bulges. I know at the senior level this is the entire point of a boutique. The guy that drives $55m in fee income for a bulge bank is lucky to see 30-40% of that in his comp, and it's all chopped up with the majority in an equity grant with a vesting schedule. The boutique pays a higher percentage (e.g. 50%+) and more of it in cash.

Geography is a complete preference. New York has better culture, women, food, nightlife, and other similar things that young high-earning professionals tend to value highly.

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